This guy just doubled his chances

...of a heart attack. Active! On the habits that could be killing you. Wild sex and office stress are just two of them

This guy just doubled his chances

...of a heart attack. Active! On the habits that could be killing you. Wild sex and office stress are just two of them

If your life stays on a usually sedentary path and the decision of sweating it out comes overnight this one is going to make you sit up and take notice. A recent study conducted by researchers Dr Issa Dahabreh and Dr Jessica Paulus at the Tufts Medical Centre, in Boston, reveals that 'Sudden exercise and sex can boost the risk of heart risks and sudden cardiac deaths'. The study however adds that the risk is small and associated with sporadic and short bursts of intense physical activity, including passionate sex.

Talking about the truth of the matter and its implications on daily life, Anuj Bhasin, Interventional Cardiologist, Platinum Cardiac Hospitals says, "The body, in cases like this is de-conditioned. People with restricted physical activity can have a heart attack if they undergo any vigorous activity like exercise or sex.

There is a rupture of vulnerable plaque (minor blockages that come out of predisposition to heart conditions like a family history or smoking), leading to a sudden heart attack during exercise or sex". Bhasin suggests that anybody leadings a sedentary lifestyle should consult a doctor and undergo cardiac tests before starting any of these activities.
The most common reason for a heart risk among those predisposed to heart conditions is workplace stress, according to Bhasin. "More than 50 per cent of patients who have been coming to me lately are below 40," he says.

"The other factors that can cause a predisposition to heart risks include family history, obesity, high cholesterol, excessive mental stress and smoking", he adds.

The study, according to sexologist Dr Prakash Kothari, is ambiguous and fails to define what can be termed sporadic and infrequent. He says, "It is like wearing a bikini that does not reveal the vital statistics. The risk of heart attacks during sexual activity is as much as that during urination or defecation".

Though Kothari says that sexual activity does not pose any heart risk in an individual he admits that for those with the history of a myocardial attack regular sex can usually do the trick. "Sudden spikes in physical activity especially sexual ones cannot give rise to heart risks. Even if there is a gap of six months there is hardly a threat.

A study by Hellerstein and Freidman, who studied the cardiac responses in middle-class and middle-aged men while having sex with their wives states that if a patient can walk on the treadmill for a half hour, he can indulge in any sexual activity," says Kothari. He says that the study does not specify the nature of the partner, which can cause a non-risky rise in heart rate and blood pressure. "There is an increase in heart rate and blood pressure during orgasm, but the heart rate is far more with a new partner," Kothari concludes.

For a healthy heart, expert tips on what best to avoid
1. Clandestine sexual activity.
2. Heavy meals and alcohol before sex.
3. Sex at night. It is advisable to have sex in the morning when the body has received enough rest.
4. Leading a sedentary lifestyle. Regular exercise is advisable so sexual activity is not sudden.